15 “Everything is lawful.” Here again Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12–13; 7:1; 8:1, 4). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.
16 Grk “builds up.” The object “others” is not expressed but is implied, as v. 24 shows. Paul picks up a theme he introduced at the start of this section of the letter (8:1).

In other versions

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.

All things are permitted, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted, but not all things build up.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Public Domain